Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1887-07-29
AS OTHERS SEE US.



United states.
II must be taken as an accepted fact
that there is in the society of the great
Republic across the sea an exclusive
ness almost as decided as in that of our
own little kingdom-an eXclusiveness
as great in degree if differing slightly
in kind. Over here barriers that haze
stood for centuries are falling year by
year; over there, dividing lines, un-
drcamt of by former generation are
daily being drawn. Cliqucs abound,
and it may be taken as a general rule
that in one, recognized as first, the
customs most resemble ours. The
much spoken of, and then foolishly
vauntcd, privilege of young men and
maidcnsn to enjoy each others So
c cety, unrcstraincd by the presence OF
their elders, is state of things fast
passing away. One hears more talk OF
the chaperones on the other side than
here, perhaps because there the necessi
ties of chapcronagc might be discussed,
here they would be understood.
1t is generally believed that the
younger portion of the community has
distinct set of its own, and such is the
case, marking at once a broad differ
encc to our British institutions. Let it
be remembered, however, that at .
dance, to which invitations have been
issued in the daughters name alone,
the lady of the house is always present
rs hostess and chaperon, although, as
it is young peoples affair, her
daughter takes the lead in the recep
tion of the guests. Balls, and these
various kinds of expeditions for which
America is famous-such as thcater,
coaching, slcighing, yachting and to
bogganning parties - are invariably
''matronizcj " as the term goes, by
married lady; though, for the eXcur
sions, one or two young married coup
les are the favoritc sop to the Cerberu
of propriety.
1t is interesting to note the manic
for titles which possess the American
people. In England the tendency i
toward the modification of all titles. a
royal Prince becomes Duke, an Earl
is addressed as Lord, etc. So there
is a certain irony in the fact that, in y
democratic country, where all men are
"born free and equal, an appellation
that will in any WY distinguish a man
from his fellows, or entitle him to lit
tie more respectful consideration than
his neighbor is jealousy preserved.
Designations of military order
abound, and that of Judge" is otter
heard. Not only a profession, but pub
lie position of any kind, and even an
occupation, carries with it special
designation.
Fifty such titles might be strung to
gether, all identical with those tina
appear from time to time in the society
columns of the papers. Differences
exist, and always will, but the gull
that divides our ways from theirs bear:
no analogy to the vast ocean that sepa-
rates the continents; for the former is
spanncd daily by the mutual adoption
of amended social laws, while as yet
no plan has been conceived whereby
the great Atlantic may be bridgcd
across. 1t is true that all social inno-
vations are recognized more slowly on
this side of the water, for the English
do not take kindly to fresh gratis on
the fine old tree of custom that grows
in the midst of the garden called So
ciety, and puts forth its leaves slowly,
typical-eyen rs the cmblematic oak
of the steady deliberateness of the race.
London Queen.